Means for equalizing strains on cables, &amp;c.



E. R. PIKE. MEANS FOR EQUALIZING STRAINS 0N CABLES, 81.0.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 11 19!].

Patented Apr. 2, 1918.

r T L N N @m a a g J E. R. PIKE.

MEANS FOR EQU-ALIZING STRAINS 0N CABLES, 6L0.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 1]. 1917- Patented Apr. 2, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- 7 E. R. PIKE.

MEANS FOR E ZING STRAINS 0N CABLES, &c.

APPL N FILED APR. 11, 1917;

. 1,261,286. Patented Apr. 2, 1918. k 3 SHEET$-SHEET 3- N u e s v, i lMin I other connections.

of the lnvention and combinations of parts EARLE R. PIKE, OF PITTSBURGH,PENNSYLVANIA.

-MEANS roitnouatrznve summers on CABLES, 8w.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented'ripr. 2, 1918.

A pneanen filed A ril 11, 1917. Serial no. 161,307. a

To all whom it may concern:

Be'itknown thatI, Eli-rte R. PIKE, a citizen of the United States,residing at Pittsburgh, in the countyiof-Alleghen'y and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Meansfor Equalizing Strains on Cables, &c.; and I hereby declare that thefollowing is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, referencebeing had to the accompanying draw ings, which form part of thisspecification.

This invention is a novel device for equalizing strains on a pluralityof ropes, cables or chains used in the mechanic artsfor connecting oroperating parts; the invention is especially adapted for use with cableoperated elevators in which a number of parallel cables are employed,and has particular reference to the means for equalizing the strains onthe plurality of cables used to operate the car, and for connecting thecar to the counterweight.-

I will describe the invention as applied to a six cable equalizer fortraction elevators and a description of such embodiment of the inventionwill enable others skilled in the art to readily adapt and use the samein The essential features for which protection is desired are summarizedin the claims. i

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic elevation showing the general arrangement ofcables for a so called 2:1 gearless' traction elevator installation.

Fig. 2 is a similar View of aso called 1:1 gearless traction elevatorinstallation.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevation of asix cable equalizer as appliedon a 2 :1 traction elevator installation.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation thereof.

Fig. 5 is a plan. view of Fig; 3. V

Fig. 6 is an enlarged longitudinal section on line .66 Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged cross section on line 77 Fig. 5. y

In the known arrangement of cables for a 2: 1 gearless traction elevatorinstallation, indicated in Fig. 1 of the drawings, each car operatingcable A is usually connected at one end to a dead hitch on a"hitch beamand passes thence downunder the sheave C back to the idler sheave D,then back 7 to the driving sheave E, then down to beam. My equalizerhowever may be used if desired at either or both hitches or ends of thecables.

In the known 1:1 gearless arrangement for traction elevator installationindicated in Fig. 2 one end of each cable A is attached to thecounterweight IV; the cable then passes over an idler sheave D to thedriving sheave E, then back to the idler sheave D, then back to thedriving sheave E, and thence to the car K; the ends of the cable beingattached respectively to the counterweight'and to the car. In thisfigure my equalizer is shown as applied in an inverted position on boththe car and counterweight.

In Figs. 3 to 7 of the drawings I have shown my invention as embodied ina six cable equalizer and will explain the invention with referencethereto.

The equalizer comprises a base plate 1 which can be readily set upon orattached to the hitch plates now commonly used in connection withsystems of cables indicated in Fig. 1 at either point B or G or both;and in'Fig. 2 at either point B or G, or both. This 'base plate 1, whereused for a six cable equalizer is provided with six holes 1 throughwhich the thimble rods 5 will pass.

These holes preferably are arranged as indicated in Fig. 5, which showsthe upper ends of the thimble rods, and the holes in the base plate aredirectly in line therewith. This base plate has a centrally disposedmain bearing 1" in which is journaled a main bearing pin 2 on which aresupported opposite triangular yoke plates 2. The journal pin may beprevented from disengaging the bearing 1 by any suitable means; in thedrawing Ihave shown washers 2 fastened to the reduced threaded ends 2 ofthe pin exterior to the yokes 2 by means of nuts 2 The yokes 2 arerigidly connected by bolts 2 extending through spacing thimbles 2 Fig.6.

Pivotally mounted on and between the yoke plates 2 are universal orgimbal-joint members 3 whlch have lateral trunnlons 3 engaging openingsin the yoke plates 2 and pivoting the joints thereon above the pivot 2.These joint members 3 have trunnions 3" at right angles to trunnions 3,which trunnions 3 are pivotally engaged with openings in brackets orstuds i formed with or attached to the under side of equalizing plates4t in any suitable manner.

There are two equalizing plates 4.- supported on the yokes by theuniversal or gimbal joint members 3, and these equalizing plates 4 aredisposed on opposite sides of the axis 2 on which the yokes 2 arepivoted.

Each equalizing plate a is provided with three openings l whichcorrespond in position with the related openings 1 in the base plate 1so that the thimble rods 5 can pass through openings in the base plate 1and also through the openings in the related equalizmg plates 4. Theends of sa1d rods 5 extendine through the o JGDlDQS i in the tri- O O Qangles t are secured by any suitable means; locking and jam nuts 5 beingshown; and suitable ball and socket washers 5 are preterably interposedbetween the nuts I and the equalizing plate t so as to enable thetriangle plates to rock on the bolts and swing with little friction onthe equalizing plates; and the top surfaces of these equalizing platesare preferably recessed to term seats for the socket members of the balland socket washers placed underneath the nuts 5.

It will be seen that the rocking yoke 2 will equalize strain on the twoequalizing plates 4; and the joint members 3 permit said equalizingplates to independently rock on the yoke.

In the example shown three ropes A are hitched to each of the equalizingplates. The ball and socket washers will allow the thimble rods tooscillate or swing on the equalizing plates. The socket members of theball and socket washers, the equalizing plates, and the base plate, mayall be taper bored or have suiliciently large openings to permit freeswinging action of the'thimble rods.

Each thiinble rod 5 is connected to one of the cables A. In the eXampleshown there are six cables and three of these cables are connected toone equalizing plate t and the other three to the adjacent equalizingplate 4. l/Vith this arrangement it will be seen that should any cablebecome taut or slack, it will allow that part of the equalizing plate towhich it is connected to raise or lower; and in so doing will allow theother points of the equalizing plate to properly lower or raise, therebyequally distributing the load on each equalizing plate to the threecables connected therewith. Naturally this may cause a movement of theother equalizing plate by the rocking of the yoke on the main bearing;but as each of the equalizing plates is arranged to swing laterally andlongitudinally of the yoke, through the 1,2c1,2se

universal joint members 3, the load will be distributed equally to allsix cables. Further; if the cables connected to one equalizing plateshould all come under greater or less tension than the other cablesconnected to the other equalizing plate, the entire equalizing platewould either lower or raise through the action oi": the universal joint,and the yokes rock on the main bearing,

and thus, through the yoke and equalizing plates, equalize the strain onall six cables.

The equalizers may be arranged at either or both ends of the cables inthe 2 1 installation as indicated in Fig. 1; in which case theequalizers will be arranged in normal position as shown in Figs/3 and4-. When the equalizers are used in the 1 1 installation they would beinverted, and attached respectively to the beam of the car, or car riageof the counterweight, as indicated in Fig. 2. V

While I have illustrated the invention as applied to the cables of twoknown arrangements of gearless traction elevators, it will be understoodthat it is applicable to various other forms of cable elevators; also toother purposes in the mechanical arts where a number of cables are usedand it is desirable to equalize the strains thereon; I therefore do notconsider the invention restricted to use with either of the particulararrangements of cables illustrated in 1 and 2, as it can be readilyadapted to other arrangements of cables in other forms of elevatorconstruction, and also applied to other purposes in the arts where amultiple of cables are employed. And while I have shown and described asix cable equalizer it is obvious that the invention can be readilyadaptedfor a less or a greater numberof cables.

What I claim is:

1. An equalizing apparatus for the purpose specified, comprising asupport, a universal joint mounted on said support, an equalizing platepivotally mounted on said joint, cables connected with the equalizingplate, at difierent points and universal joint washers interposedbetween the cable taste-nings nd the equalizing plates, substantially asdescribed.

2. Means for equalizing strain on a plurality of cables and the like,comprising a support, a member pivotally mounted thereon, equalizingplates mounted upon the member and tiltable both laterally andlongitudinally, and means for connecting cables with said equalizingplates, substantially as described. 7 r

3. Means ror equalizing strain on a plurality of cables, etc.,comprising a support, a member pivotally mounted thereon, equalizingplates mounted upon said member at opposite sides of its pivot andtiltable both laterally and longitudinally of the member,

opposite sides of the pivot thereof, equalizing plates mounted on saidoints, and cables connected with the equalizing plates,

substantially as described.

5. Means for equahzing strams on a plurality of cablesand the like,comprising a base, a yoke pivotally mounted thereon,

equalizing plates mounted upon the yoke at opposite sides of its pivotand tiltable both laterally and longitudinally of the yoke, nd rodsconnected with said equalizing plates and extending past the yoke andconnecting the cables with said equalizing plates.

6. In means for equalizing strains for elevator cables and thelike; thecombination of a base plate having a bearing, a pair of yokes pivotallymounted on such bearing, equalizing plates pivotally mounted upon saidyokes at opposite sides of their pivot capable of tilting bothlongitudinally and laterally of the yokes, and means connecting thecables with the equalizing plates, substantially as described.

7. A device for equalizing strains on a plurality of cablesand the like;comprising a base plate having a main bearing, a yoke pivotally mountedon saidbearing, universal joint members mounted on said yoke at oppositesides of the pivot thereof, equalizing plates pivotally connected withsaid joint members, and a plurality of cables connected with theequalizing plates and eX- tending past the yoke and base plate.

8. The herein described equalizing de vice; comprising a base platehaving a bearing, a yoke pivotally mounted on said bearing, a pair ofgimbaljoints connected with the yoke at opposite sides of the bearing,an equalizing plate pivotally connected with each gimbal-joint member,and a plurality 0t cables connected with the equalizing plates andextending past the yoke and base plate.

9. device for equalizing strains on a plurality of cables and the like;comprising a base plate having a main bearing, a pair of vokes pivotallymounted on said bearing, universal joint memben mounted on said yokes atopposite sides of the pivot thereof, equalizing plates pivotallyconnected with said joint members, rods connected with the equalizingplates and extending past the yoke and base plate, and universal-jointwashers interposed between the ends of said rods and the equalizingplates.

10, The herein described equalizer eompris' mg a base plate having abearing, a main bearing pin, a. pair of yoke plates pivotally mounted onsaid bearing pin, a pair of gimbal-j0ints pivoted between the yokes atopposite sides of the main bearing pin, an equalizing plate pivotallyconnected with each gimbal-joint, and a plu ality of cables connectedwith each equalizing plate and extending past the yoke and base plate,substantially as and for the purpose specified.

11. The herein descril icd equalizing device comprising a base platehaving a main hearing, a pair of yokes pivoted on said bearing, jointmembers pivotally mounted on and between the yokes. a pair of equalizingplates having depending members pivotally connected with the jointmembers at right angles to the pivotal connections of said joint membersto the yokes, cable connections extending past the plate and yokes andthrough the equalizing plates, and compensating ball and socket washersbetween the ends of the cable connections and the equalizing plates,substantially as described.

12. The herein described equalizing device comprising a base platehaving a main bearing, a bearing pin therein, a pair of yokes mountedupon said pin, a pair of joint members pivotally mounted on and betweenthe yokes, a pair of equalizing plates having depending memberspivotally connected with the joint members at right angles to thepivotal connection oii said joint members to the yokes, a plurality ofthimble rods extending past the plate and yokes and through theequalizing plates, retaining devices on the end of said rods, andcompensating ball and socket washers between the said retaining devicesand the equalizing plates, substantially as described.

13. An equalizing apparatus for the purpose specified eonun'ismg a platehaving two sets of openings, the openings in each set being arranged atthe corners of triangles, a pair of yokes 'iivotally mounted on saidbase and capable of swinging longitudinally thereof, a pair of jointspivoted on said yokes at opposite sides of their pivot, equalizingplates pivoted on said joints, and members connected with the cables andextending through the openings in the base plate and respectivelyconnected with the related equalizing plates, substantially asdescribed.

14. An equalizing apparatus for the purpose specified comprising a platehaving two sets of openings, the openings in each set being arranged atthe corners of a triangle,

a yoke pivotally mounted on said base and capable oi swinginglongitudinally thereof, equalizing plates pivoted on said yoke atopposite sides of its pivot, each equalizing plate having three openingscorresponding to the related openings in the base plate. and cableconnections extending through the related openings in the base plate andconnected with said equalizing plates,

llt

15. An equalizing apparatus for the purpose specified, comprising aplate having two sets of openings, the openings in each set beingarranged at the corners of a triangle; a pair of yoke plates pivotallyinonnted on said base and capable of swinging longitudinally thereof;joint-members pivoted on said yoke at opposite sides of its pivot,equalizinz plates pivoted on said jointinenihers, each equalizing platehaving openings corresponding to the related openings in the base plate,and rods extending through the related openings in the base plate andequalizing plates and connecting said equalizing plates with the cables,substantially as described.

16. A six cable equalizer comprising a base plate having a hearing andthree triangnlarly disposed openings at opposite Copies of this patentmay be obtained for five cents each, by addressing sides of the bearing,a yoke mounted on said bearing, a joint-member pivoted on the yoke atopposite sides of the pivot of the yoke, an equalizing plate pivotallyconnected with .the joint-member, the pivots of the equalizing plates onsaid members being at right angles to the pivots of said jointlneniberson the yoke, each of said equalizing plates having three triangularlyarranged openings corresponding with the openings in the base plate,thinible rods extending through the related openings in the base plateand in the equalizing plates, and retaining devices on the ends of saidthiinhle rods to keep them engaged with the equalizing plates. 7

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I aliix my signature.

EARLE R. PIKE the Commissioner of Patents,-

Vfashington, D. G.

